Solid state window controls

ABSTRACT

Power window apparatus operated by manipulation of either window or auxiliary switches for precluding closure of vehicle windows unless the vehicle ignition switch is in an &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;on&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; setting and for permitting opening of the vehicle windows regardless of the ignition switch setting. A reversible electric motor having first and second selectively energizable windings drivingly connected to a window effective to close and open the window in response to energization of the respective windings by a power source. In a first embodiment the ignition switch and each winding is series connected with window and auxiliary switches to achieve the aforementioned feature. In a second embodiment the biasing of transistors in series with each of the windings is controlled by the ignition, window, and auxiliary switches to achieve the aforementioned feature.

United States Patent Ballon [54] SOLID STATE WINDOW CONTROLS [72] Inventor: Richard P. Ballou, Howell, Mich.

[733] Assignee: Physical Electronics lndusrles, lnc.,

Edina, Minn.

[22] Filed: Aug. 27, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 175,571

[52] U.S. C1. ..318/267 [51] Int. Cl. .1102 1/22 [58] Field of Search ..318/264-267, 466-468 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,513,374 5/1970 Koment ..3l8l266 3,581,174 5/1971 Hammer ..3i8/266 3,624,473 11/1971 Robbins ..318/266 Primary ExaminerBemard A. Gilheany Assistant Examiner-W. E. Duncanson, Jr. Attorney-Jean L. Carpenter et a].

[ ABSTRACT Power window apparatus operated by manipulation of either window or auxiliary switches for precluding closure of vehicle windows unless the vehicle ignition switch is in an "on" setting and for permining opening of the vehicle windows regardless of the ignition switch setting. A reversible electric motor having first and second selectively energizable windings drivingly connected to a window effective to close and open the window in response to cnergization of the respective windings by a power source. In a first embodiment the ignition switch and each winding is series connected with window and auxiliary switches to achieve the aforementioned feature. In a second embodiment the biasing of transistors in series with each of the winding is controlled by the ignition, window, and auxiliary switches to achieve the aforementioned feature.

SClalrmZDrawlngFlgures SOLID STATE WINDOW CONTROLS This invention relates to power window systems and, more particularly, to power window systems in which an electric motor is employed to open and close a vehicle window.

Electric power window systems are widely used by the motoring public. To operate each of the windows in such a system, it is customary to provide a reversible electric motor that opens and closes the window, a window switch located near the window for control of the motor by a vehicle passenger, and an auxiliary switch which may also be employed to control the motor and is located within reach of the vehicle driver. Accordingly, either the vehicle driver or a passenger may operate the window by manipulating either of the switches.

To assure that only authorized operation of the window is permitted, many present power window systems are rendered operable only when the vehicle ignition switch is turned to a setting which permits operation of the vehicle, which setting is customarily stated to be an on" setting. When the ignition switch is in a setting in which the vehicle is inoperable, generally known as an off' setting, the vehicle windows can not be operated. Since the ignition switch is usually key controlled, the presence of the key is thus employed to indicate that operation of the windows is authorized as absence of the ignition key precludes operation of the windows.

However, it has been observed that under certaincircumstances it may be desirable to permit opening of the vehicle windows with the ignition switch turned to a setting in which the vehicle is inoperable. For example, on hot summer days children may be left playing and unattended in vehicle having partially open windows. During the course of their play, they may cause an object to become caught in a partially open window and be unable to readily extricate the object from the window. Accordingly, it has been recognized that under certain circumstances such as these it may be desirable to have power windows which can be opened regardless of the ignition switch setting, but which still may not be closed unless the ignition switch is turned to a setting in which the vehicle may be operated.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a vehicle power window system in which the vehicle windows may be opened whether the vehicle ignition is turned on or off but may only be closed when the vehicle ignition is turned on.

it is also an object of this invention to provide a power window system which can effect closure of a window by energin'ng a first window drive motor winding only when an ignition switch is in an on setting but which can effect opening of the window by energizing a second window drive motor winding regardless of the ignition switch setting.

It is a more specific object of this invention to control a window drive motor in a vehicle power window system in accordance with the setting of an ignition switch such that a first winding of the motor can be energized through a first transistor to close the window only when the ignition switch is turned on and a second winding of the motor can be energized through a second transistor to open the window regardless of the ignition switch setting.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the accompanying description and drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of power window apparatus incorporating the principles of the subject invention, and

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an alternate embodiment of the invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, a vehicle window 10 that is part of a vehicle 11, only a section of which is illustrated, may be opened and closed by a power window circuit 12 that includes a reversible electric motor 14 having first and second field windings 16 and 18 and an armature 20 that is drivably coupled to the window 10, as by a gear and rack assembly 22. The armature 20 is grounded through a lead 24 and is also connected through a lead 26 to the windings l6 and 18, which are connected between first and second motor input terminals 23 and 25 in what is commonly called a split field arrangement, so that either of the windings 16 or 18 may be energized through the armature 20 to effect opening and closing of the window 10 by rotation of the armature 20. In the illustrated embodiments the motor 14 closes the window 10 when the first winding 16 is energized and opens the window 10 when the second winding 18 is energized. The power window circuit 12 also includes a suitable power source, such as a vehicle battery 28, for energizing the windings l6 and 18 of the motor 14 and a control network 30 for controlling energization of the windings l6 and 18 by the battery 28.

The control network 30 includes an ignition switch 32havingaswitcharm34andapairofcontacts36and 38 that are engageable by the switch arm 34 when the ignition switch 32 is placed in on" and ofP settings, respectively. As one versed in the art will appreciate, vehicle ignition switches are normally of a ganged type so that placement of the ignition switch in a certain setting performs more than one function. Accordingly, it may be assumed that when the ignition switch 32 is in the on setting, it not only connects a lead 39 to the battery 28 through the switch arm 34 but also connects suitable ignition circuitry (not shown) to the battery 28 so as to permit operation of the vehicle. Similarly, it may be assumed that when the ignition switch 32 is in the ofF setting, it precludes operation of the vehicle. While these functions of the ignition switch 32 are not of themselves concerned with the present invention, the description of these functions serves to illustrate the environment in which it is contemplated the present invention may be practiced.

The control network 30 also includes a window switch 40 and an auxiliary switch 42 for controlling the operation of the motor 14. The window switch 40 consists of a switch arm 44 and contacts 46, 48, and 50. The switch arm 44 in the window switch 40 is normally biased by suitable biasing springs (not shown) to the illustrated neutral position in which it does not engage any of the switch contacts 46, 48, or 50. Similarly, the auxiliary switch 42 includes a switch arm 52 and several contacts 54, 56, and 58, none of which are nor mally engaged by the one switch arm 52 when it is held in the illustrated inoperative position by other suitable biasing springs (not shown). To provide convenient operation of the window 10 by a vehicle occupant, the window switch 40 may be placed in the vehicle near the window 10 for operation by one of the vehicle passengers and the auxiliary switch 42 may be positioned within reach of the vehicle driver so the vehicle driver may operate the window regardless of its location. The control network 30 also includes a lockout switch 60 that is contemplated as being positioned within easy access of the vehicle driver for precluding the window switch 40 from operating the window 10, as will now be explained in detail.

When the ignition switch 32 is placed in an on" position, the switch arm 34 engages the contact 36 so as to connect the battery 28 to the switch arm 52 of the auxiliary switch 42 and, through the lockout switch 60, to the switch arm 44 of the window switch 40. Accordingly, when either of the switches 40 or 42 is placed in a window closing setting the battery 28 is connected to the first winding 16 through the lead 39, thus causing energization of the first winding 16 so as to effect closure of the window 10. Similarly, when either of the switches 40 or 42 is placed in a window opening setting, it engages the corresponding contact 50 or 58 and connects the second winding 18 to the battery 28 through the lead 39 so as to effect energization of the second winding 18 and opening of the winding 10. To prevent operation of the window 10 by the window switch 40, the vehicle driver may open the normally closed lockout switch 60 so as to disconnect the switch 40 from the battery 28. Accordingly, when the lockout switch 60 is open, operation of the window 10 can only be effected through manipulation of the auxiliary switch 42.

When the ignition switch 32 is placed in an "off" setting the switch arm 34 engages the contact 38 so as to connect the contacts 48 and 56 to the battery 28 through a lead 62. Since the switch arms 44 and 52 of the respective switches 40 and 42 are no longer connected through the lead 39 to the battery 28 the switches 40 and 42 are inoperative when placed in a window closing setting and hence cannot be used to close the window 10. However, when either of the switches 40 or 42 is placed in a window opening setting the second winding 18 is energized and the window 10 is opened. For example, when the window switch 40 is placed in the window opening setting the switch arm 44 engages both of the contacts 48 and 50 so as to complete a current path from the lead 62 to the second winding 18. Similarly, when the auxiliary switch 42 is placed in a window opening setting the switch arm 52 engages both of the contacts 56 and 58 so as to complete another current path from the lead 62 to the second winding 18. It is thus apparent that the power window circuit 12 permits both opening and closing the window 10 by manipulating the switches 40 and 42 when the ignition switch 32 is turned on but only permits opening of the window 10 by manipulating the switches 40 and 42 when the ignition switch 32 is turned off.

As previously mentioned, in the embodiment of FIG. 1 it is contemplated that the window switch 40 is located near the window 10 and the auxiliary switch 42 is located within reach of the vehicle driver. Accordingly, the distance between the switches 40 and 42 may be quite considerable but, in the embodiment just described, the switches 40 and 42 are connected by a total of four leads, which add considerably to the cost of the power window circuit 12.

in the embodiment of FIG. 2, the number of these leads has been reduced to two by the addition of varicos circuit elements. These circuit elements include a relay 64 having a relay coil 66, two sets of normally open contacts 68 and 70, and a set of normally closed contacts 72. The control network 30' in FIG. 2 also includes a pair of transistors 74 and 76 and several resistors 78 through 82 for biasing the transistors 74 and 76. In addition, the auxiliary switch 42 of the control network 30 is replaced in the control network 30 by an auxiliary switch 42' having first and second ganged wiper arms 84 and 86 and six contacts 88 through 93, the contacts 92 and 93 being grounded.

The operation of the power window circuit 12' will now be explained. When the ignition switch 32 is placed in the on setting and the wiper am 34 engages the contact 36, the battery 28 is connected to the relay coil 66 so as to energize the relay 64. When this occurs, the normally open contacts 68 and 70 are closed so as to connect the battery 28 through a lead 94 to the contacts 90 and 91 of the auxiliary switch 42'. Accordingly, the battery 28 is connected through the auxiliary switch 42' to the emitters of the transistors 74 and 76 and, through the resistors and 81, to the bases of the transistors 74 and 76. However, since the transistors 74 and 76 are of a PNP type, neither of them are conductive under these bias conditions and the motor windings 16 and 18 remain deenergized.

Should the window switch 40' be placed in either the window opening or window closing setting while the ignition switch 32 is in the on setting the switch arm 44 engages the corresponding contacts 46 or 50 and places one of the transistors 74 and 76 in a conductive condition. For example, when the window switch 40' is placed in the window closing setting the switch arm 44 engages the contact 46 so as to ground the resistor 78. The resistors 80 and 78 thus form a voltage divider network acros the battery 28 and their resistances are selected so as to apply a relatively low voltage to the base of the transistor 74 when the resistor 78 is grounded. Accordingly, placement of the window switch 40' in the window closing setting causes the transistor '14 to become conductive and energize the fast winding 16 which effects closure of the window 10. Similarly, upon placement of the window switch 40' in the window opening setting the resistor 79 is grounded through the switch arm 44 and the voltage divider action of the resistors 79 and 81 turns on the transistor 76 causing it to energize second winding 18 so as to effect closure of the window 10.

The window 10 may also be operated by manipulation of the auxiliary switch 42'. For example, when the auxiliary switch 42' is placed in a window closing setting the switch arm 84 engages the contact 88 and the switch arm 86 engages the grounded contact 93. Since the contact 88 is connected to the battery 28 through the normally open contacts 68 when the relay coil 66 is energized, the emitter of the transistor 74 is connected to the battery 28 through the switch arm 84. However, when the switch arm 86 engages the grounded contact 93 it grounds the base of the transistor 74 through the resistor 80. The transistor 74 is thus rendered conductive and the first winding 16 is energized so as to effect closure of the window 10. Similarly, when the auxiliary switch 42' is placedin the window opening setting the wiper arm 86 engages the contact 89 and the wiper arm 84 engages the grounded contact 92 so as to connect the emitter of the transistor 76 to the battery 28 through the wiper arm 86 and to ground the base of the transistor 76 through the resistor 81 and the wiper arm 84. Placement of the auxiliary switch 42' in the window opening setting thus renders the transistor 76 conductive and energizes the second winding 18 so as to open the window 10.

The lockout switch 60 in the embodiment of FIG. 2 may also be employed by the vehicle driver to preclude operation of the window by manipulation of the window switch 40', as previously discussed in conjunction with FIG. 1. Since the lockout switch 60 in the FIG. 2 embodiment connects the battery 28 through the wiper arms 84 and 86 of the auxiliary switch 42' to the emitters of the transistors 74 and 76, opening of the lookout switch 60 precludes energization of the windings l6 and 18 unless the auxiliary switch 42' is placed in other than the illustrated neutral position. Manipulation of the window switch 40' when the lockout switch 60 is open will therefore not operate the window 10.

When the ignition switch 32 is turned off the relay coil 66 is deenergized and the relay contacts 68, 70 and 72 are in their illustrated normal conditions. Under these circumstances the normally closed relay contacts 72 connect the battery 28 to the emitter of the transistor 76 through the wiper arm 86 of the auxiliary switch 42'. However, the base of the transistor 76 is also connected under these conditions to the battery 28 through the resistors 81 and 82 so as to preclude the transistor 76 from becoming conductive. Should the window switch 40' be placed in the window opening setting by engaging the contact 50 with the grounded wiper arm 44 the base of the transistor 76 is grounded through the resistor 79. This causes the transistor 76 to become conductive so as to energize the second winding 18 and open the window 10 as previously explained. However, placing the window switch 40' in the window closing setting has no effect on the operation of the window 10 as the only connection of the emitter of the transistor 74 to the battery 28 is through the resistor 82, the resistance of which is selected to preclude the transistor 74 from becoming conductive.

The window 10 may also be opened when the ignition switch 32 is turned off by placing the auxiliary switch 42' in the window opening setting. In the window opening setting the wiper arm 86 of the auxiliary switch 42 engages the contact 89 so as to again connect the emitter of the transistor 76 to the battery 28. In addition, when the auxiliary switch 42' is in the window opening setting the wiper arm 84 engages the grounded contact 92 so as to ground the base of the transistor 76 through the resistor 81. The transistor 76 is thus rendered conductive so as to energize the winding 18 and open the window 10. However, placement of the auxiliary switch 42' in the window closing setting does not effect the window 10 operation when the ignition switch 32 is turned 011'. This is because the wiper arm 84 cannot be connected to the battery 28 when the relay coil 66 is deenergized.

It is thus apparent that both of the power window systems herein described permit both opening and closing of a window when an ignition switch is turned on but only permit opening of the window when the ignition switch is turned off. Persons versed in the art will appreciate that various embodiments of this invention can be devised without departing from its spirit.

I claim:

1. In a motor vehicle having an ignition switch that is in an on setting when the vehicle is operable and an off setting when the vehicle is inoperable, apparatus for opening and closing a window in the vehicle comprising, in combination, a reversible motor drivably coupled to the window and having first and second input terminals, energization of the first input terminal efi'ecting closure of the window by the motor and energization of the second input terminal effecting opening of the window by the motor; a window switch having at least window opening and window closing settings; and means responsive to the ignition and window switches for opening and closing the window in accordance with the settings of the switches, said switch responsive means only effecting energization of the first input terminal when the ignition switch is in the on" setting and the window switch is in the window closing setting and eflecting energization of the second input terminal when the window switch is in the window opening setting and the ignition switch is in either the on" or "QfPsetting.

2. In a motor vehicle having an ignition switch that is in an on" setting when the vehicle is operable and an off setting when the vehicle is inoperable, apparatus for opening and closing a window in the vehicle comprising, in combination, a reversible motor that is drivably coupled to the window and has first and second input terminals, energizafion of the first input terminal effecting closure of the window by the motor and energization of the second input terminal effecting opening of the window by the motor; means for connecting the ignition switch to a power source; first and second controlled switches in series circuit with the respective first and second input terminals whereby each of the input terminals may be energized only when the respective controlled switch in series therewith is biased to a conductive condition; biasing means including a window switch having at least window opening and window closing settings for biasing the controlled switches to a conductive condition, the first controlled switch being biased to a conductive condition when the window switch is in the window closing setting and the second controlled switch being biased to a conductive condition when the window switch is in the window opening setting; and means responsive to the ignition switch for connecting the controlled switches to the power source in accordance with the ignition switch setting whereby both of the controlled switches are connected to the power source when the ignition switch is in the on setting and only the second controlled switch is connected to the power source when the ignition switch is in the off setting, closure of the window thereby being effected only when the ignition switch is in the on" setting and the window switch is in the window closing setting and opening of the window being efl'ected whenever the window switch is in the window opening setting and the ignition switch is in either the on" or off setting.

3. Power window apparatus for opening and closing a vehicle window in accordance with the setting of a vehicle ignition switch having on" and "off" settings comprising, in combination, a reversible motor drivably coupled to the window for opening and closing the window, the motor having a first input terminal that efi'ects closure of the window when energized and a second input terminal that efiects opening of the window when energized; means for connecting the ignition switch to a power source; a window switch having at least window opening and window closing settings; and means responsive to the switches for effecting energization of the first and second input terminals by the power source, whereby placement of the window switch in the window closing setting when the ignition switch is in the on" setting effects energization of the first input terminal and closure of the window and placement of the window switch in the window opening setting effects energization of the second input terminal and opening of the window whenever the ignition switch is in either the on or olP settings.

4. in a motor vehicle having an ignition switch that is in an "on setting when the vehicle is operable and an off setting when the vehicle is inoperable, apparatus for opening and closing a window in the vehicle comprising, in combination, a reversible electric motor having an armature that is drivably coupled to the window and first and second field windings, energization of the first field winding effecting closure of the window by the motor and energization of the second field winding effecting opening of the window by the motor; means for connecting the ignition switch'to a power source; first and second transistors in series circuit with the respective first and second windings whereby each of the windings may be energized only when the transistor in series therewith is biased to a conductive condition; first biasing means including a window switch having at least window opening and window closing settings for connecting the power source to the transistors in response to the setting of the ignition switch and for biasing the transistors to a conductive condition, the first transistor being biased to a conductive condition when the ignition switch is in the on setting and window switch is in the window opening setting and the second transistor being biased to a conductive condition when the ignition switch is in either the on" or ofi setting and the window switch is in the window closing setting; second biasing means including an auxiliary switch having at least window opening and window closing settings for connecting the power source to the transistors in response to the ignition switch setting and for biasing the transistors to a conductive condition whereby placement of the auxiliary switch in the window closing setting while the ignition switch is in the on" setting connects the power source to the first transistor and biases the first transistor to a conductive condition so as to close the window and placement of the auxiliary switch in the window opening setting while the ignition switch is in either the "on or ofP setting connects the power source to the second transistor and biases the second transistor to a conductive condition so as to open the window; and selectively operable switch means for selectively rendering the first biasing means inoperative.

5. In a motor vehicle having an ignition switch that is in an on setting when the vehicle is operable and an ofi setting when the vehicle is inoperable, apparatus for opening and closing a window in the vehicle comprising, in combination, a reversible electric motor having an armature that is drivably coupled to the window and first and second field windings, energization of the f ll' i t l li'h 'ii erifiiiioi me aegis n3 effecn'ng opening of the window by the motor; means for connecting the ignition switch to a power source; first and second transistors having emitter and collector terminals connected in series circuit with the respective first and second windings whereby the windings may be energized only when the transistor in series therewith is biased to a conductive condition by a certain bias potential applied to the base of the transistor; biasing means for applying the certain bias potential to the bases of the transistors, the biasing means including a window switch that has at least window opening and window closing settings and is efiective in the window closing setting to apply the certain bias potential to the base of the first transistor and effective in the window opening setting to apply the certain bias potential to the base of the second transistor; and means responsive to the ignition switch for both connecting the power source to the transistors and for biasing the transistors to a conductive condition independently of the window switch, said ignition switch responsive means including an auxiliary switch having at least window opening and window closing settings whereby, when the ignition switch is in the on" setting, placement of either switch in a window closing setting connects the power source to the first transistor and applies the certain potential to the base of the first transistor so as to close the window and placement of either switch in a window opening setting connects the power source to the second transistor and applies the certain potential to the base of the second transistor so as to open the window and, when the ignition switch is in the "off" setting, placement of either switch in a window opening setting effects energization of the second winding so as to open the window and placement of either switch in a window closing setting is precluded from closing the window.

I I i i l Patent No. 173 Dated August 72 Richard P. Ballou lnvencon's) It "is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Front Page, [73], "Physical Electronics Industries, Inc.,

Edina, Minn." should be --Geperal Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich.--

Signed and sealed this 10th day of April 1973.

* SEAL Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

1. In a motor vehicle having an ignition switch that is in an ''''on'''' setting when the vehicle is operable and an ''''off'''' setting when the vehicle is inoperable, apparatus for opening and closing a window in the vehicle comprising, in combination, a reversible motor drivably coupled to the window and having first and second input terminals, energization of the first input terminal effecting closure of the window by the motor and energization of the second input terminal effecting opening of the window by the motor; a window switch having at least window opening and window closing settings; and means responsive to the ignition and window switches for opening and closing the window in accordance with the settings of the switches, said switch responsive means only effecting energization of the first input terminal when the ignition switch is in the ''''on'''' setting and the window switch is in the window closing setting and effecting energization of the second input terminal when the window switch is in the window opening setting and the ignition switch is in either the ''''on'''' or ''''off'''' setting.
 2. In a motor vehicle having an ignition switch that is in an ''''on'''' setting when the vehicle is operable and an ''''off'''' setting when the vehicle is inoperable, apparatus for opening and closing a window in the vehicle comprisIng, in combination, a reversible motor that is drivably coupled to the window and has first and second input terminals, energization of the first input terminal effecting closure of the window by the motor and energization of the second input terminal effecting opening of the window by the motor; means for connecting the ignition switch to a power source; first and second controlled switches in series circuit with the respective first and second input terminals whereby each of the input terminals may be energized only when the respective controlled switch in series therewith is biased to a conductive condition; biasing means including a window switch having at least window opening and window closing settings for biasing the controlled switches to a conductive condition, the first controlled switch being biased to a conductive condition when the window switch is in the window closing setting and the second controlled switch being biased to a conductive condition when the window switch is in the window opening setting; and means responsive to the ignition switch for connecting the controlled switches to the power source in accordance with the ignition switch setting whereby both of the controlled switches are connected to the power source when the ignition switch is in the ''''on'''' setting and only the second controlled switch is connected to the power source when the ignition switch is in the ''''off'''' setting, closure of the window thereby being effected only when the ignition switch is in the ''''on'''' setting and the window switch is in the window closing setting and opening of the window being effected whenever the window switch is in the window opening setting and the ignition switch is in either the ''''on'''' or ''''off'''' setting.
 3. Power window apparatus for opening and closing a vehicle window in accordance with the setting of a vehicle ignition switch having ''''on'''' and ''''off'''' settings comprising, in combination, a reversible motor drivably coupled to the window for opening and closing the window, the motor having a first input terminal that effects closure of the window when energized and a second input terminal that effects opening of the window when energized; means for connecting the ignition switch to a power source; a window switch having at least window opening and window closing settings; and means responsive to the switches for effecting energization of the first and second input terminals by the power source, whereby placement of the window switch in the window closing setting when the ignition switch is in the ''''on'''' setting effects energization of the first input terminal and closure of the window and placement of the window switch in the window opening setting effects energization of the second input terminal and opening of the window whenever the ignition switch is in either the ''''on'''' or ''''off'''' settings.
 4. In a motor vehicle having an ignition switch that is in an ''''on'''' setting when the vehicle is operable and an ''''off'''' setting when the vehicle is inoperable, apparatus for opening and closing a window in the vehicle comprising, in combination, a reversible electric motor having an armature that is drivably coupled to the window and first and second field windings, energization of the first field winding effecting closure of the window by the motor and energization of the second field winding effecting opening of the window by the motor; means for connecting the ignition switch to a power source; first and second transistors in series circuit with the respective first and second windings whereby each of the windings may be energized only when the transistor in series therewith is biased to a conductive condition; first biasing means including a window switch having at least window opening and window closing settings for connecting the power source to the transistors in response to the setting of the ignition switch and for biasing the transistors to a conductive condition, the first transistor being biased to a conductive condition when the ignition switch is in the ''''on'''' setting and window switch is in the window opening setting and the second transistor being biased to a conductive condition when the ignition switch is in either the ''''on'''' or ''''off'''' setting and the window switch is in the window closing setting; second biasing means including an auxiliary switch having at least window opening and window closing settings for connecting the power source to the transistors in response to the ignition switch setting and for biasing the transistors to a conductive condition whereby placement of the auxiliary switch in the window closing setting while the ignition switch is in the ''''on'''' setting connects the power source to the first transistor and biases the first transistor to a conductive condition so as to close the window and placement of the auxiliary switch in the window opening setting while the ignition switch is in either the ''''on'''' or ''''off'''' setting connects the power source to the second transistor and biases the second transistor to a conductive condition so as to open the window; and selectively operable switch means for selectively rendering the first biasing means inoperative.
 5. In a motor vehicle having an ignition switch that is in an ''''on'''' setting when the vehicle is operable and an ''''off'''' setting when the vehicle is inoperable, apparatus for opening and closing a window in the vehicle comprising, in combination, a reversible electric motor having an armature that is drivably coupled to the window and first and second field windings, energization of the first field winding effecting closure of the window by the motor and energization of the second field winding effecting opening of the window by the motor; means for connecting the ignition switch to a power source; first and second transistors having emitter and collector terminals connected in series circuit with the respective first and second windings whereby the windings may be energized only when the transistor in series therewith is biased to a conductive condition by a certain bias potential applied to the base of the transistor; biasing means for applying the certain bias potential to the bases of the transistors, the biasing means including a window switch that has at least window opening and window closing settings and is effective in the window closing setting to apply the certain bias potential to the base of the first transistor and effective in the window opening setting to apply the certain bias potential to the base of the second transistor; and means responsive to the ignition switch for both connecting the power source to the transistors and for biasing the transistors to a conductive condition independently of the window switch, said ignition switch responsive means including an auxiliary switch having at least window opening and window closing settings whereby, when the ignition switch is in the ''''on'''' setting, placement of either switch in a window closing setting connects the power source to the first transistor and applies the certain potential to the base of the first transistor so as to close the window and placement of either switch in a window opening setting connects the power source to the second transistor and applies the certain potential to the base of the second transistor so as to open the window and, when the ignition switch is in the ''''off'''' setting, placement of either switch in a window opening setting effects energization of the second winding so as to open the window and placement of either switch in a window closing setting is precluded from closing the window. 